Variable timing action in loop regulating mechanism



OCL 29. 1940. E, HAEHNEL` 2,220,039 I E 'r G E Filed June 3, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 5%/ 157 il? IN VEN TORI BY (/,f

ATroRNY.

Oct 29' l940- y H. E. HAEHNEL 2,220,039

VARIABLE T'IMING ACTION IN 1.1001?l REGULATING NECHANISM Filed June s. 193e a sheets-sheet 2,

IN VEN TUR; Herber Ericf Emil/nel,

i OC. 29, 1940. ||h E HAEHNEL 2,220,039

VARIABLE TIMING ACTION IN LOOP REGULATING- MECHANISM Filed June a, 1958 e sheets-sheet 5 b' Ur j INVENmR:

jerberi Erich/Haehizelf,

OC. 29, 1940. H E HAEHNEL 2,220,039

VARIABLE- TIMING ACTION IN LOOP REGULATING MECHANISM filed June s. 195s a sheets-sheet 4 F J. E- E .MZ 5.55

y M7 LEM INVENmm HerberErc/z aeime,

Oct. 29. 1940. vH. E. HAEHNEL. 2,220,039

VARIABLE 'mme Amon 1N Loop REGULATING MEcnAursM Filed June s, 195s a sheets-sheet 5 1:71 E- j l..

M219 575 IN1/mmm A TTORNEY.

v BY

Oct. 29, 1940. H. E. HAEHNEL 2,220,039

VARIABLE TIMFNG ACTIN IN LOOP REGULATING MECHANSM Filed .mma s; 195s lB Sxileets-sneet s Oct. 29. 1940. H. E. HAEHNEI. 2,220,039

VARIABLE 'mmm ACTION 1N Loop REGULATING MEcHAms'M Filed June s, 19:58 8 sneetssheet INVENTOR: lerber Erich/Hahne@ f' ATTORN Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VARIABLE TIMING ACTION IN LOOP REGULATING MECHANISM Application June 3, 1938, Serial No. 211,502

Claims.

My invention relates to the method of, and means for, controlling the time of operation of loop-forming elements, such as the needles of a knitting machine, in accordance with the lengths 5 of loops and equivalently affecting similarly actuated responsive means in a knitting machine.

In a straight knitting machine, the yarn is laid along a needle bank, sinkers are projected in succession to positions between alternate pairs of needles, the needles are moved relative to the sinkers to provide slack in the yarn between the sinker loops, and all of the dividers are simultaneously projected between the sinker loops to form what are known as divider loops.

Mechanism has heretofore been provided to adjust the positions of the needles, whereby the loops formed in one course, equal in length to each other, are of different length from the loops of another course.

In the prior art, the timing of the needle movement, after the formation of the sinker loops, is always the same relative to the movement of the dividers. That is, in initially adjusting the machine, after assembly, with the needles set to s the position which they assume at the start of making loops of a lengthintermediate the largest and smallest loops producible on the machine, the linkage between the needles and the regulating cam has a certain effective length.

Thus, with the needles positioned, and connected to the regulating cam by a cam follower linkage of a certain length, the needles will be moved in a definite time-phase relation to the dividers. In the prior art machines, this relation is such that the dividers engage the yarn of the intermediate length loops at substantially the instant the needles begin to move with the dividers during the formation of the divider loops. Consequently with the dividers and needles simultaneously moving in the same direction during the dividing operation, the yarn tension and the effect on the needles, dividers, etc. is ideal only for the formation of loops of said intermediate length.

However, when the loop regulating mechanism is adjusted to make a loop length longer than the aforesaid intermediate loop length, the effective length of the presser follower linkage is increased, whereby `to adjust the initial position of the needles closer to the dividers in their retracted position to make such longer loops, but the position of the regulating follower remains the same peripherally of the regulating cam. Thus, in the prior art devices, with the needles moved closer to the dividers in their retracted position to start the longer loops, and with the relation of the regulating cam and its follower unchanged, the dividers will engage the yarn considerably sooner than is desirable, i. e. sooner than they do when producing the intermediate 5 length loops, and by engaging the loops in advance of the needle movement, said dividers cause undue tension to be placed on the yarn and the needles, thereby adversely affecting the -operation of the loop-forming implements and l0 associated parts.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method of, and means for, selectively timing the movement of the needles of a knitting machine, in accordance with each yarn loop length selected during each knitting cycle, as by adjusting the position of the regulating cam follower peripherally of the regulating cam for each loop length selected, to avoid the late movement of the needles relative to the dividers, during the production of loops longer than said intermediate length, whereby no matter what length of loop is produced, the timing of the needle and divider movements will always be so controlled with respect to each other as to effect correct operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method of, and means for, selectively timing the movement of the needles of a knitting machine, in accordance with the yarn loop length selected during a knitting cycle, to avoid undue tension on the needles, the dividers and the yarn.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new principle in the control of means responsive to cam follower movement through linkage means between the cam follower and the responsive means, whereby certain movement or timing of the responsive means is effected in accordance with each change in the effective length of the linkage, or equivalent effect.

Another object of the invention hereof is to facilitate manufactureand assembly of a device of the above-indicated character.

Another `object of the invention is to increase the flexibility and range of operation of a loop regulating device, whereby it may better operate as a unit for effecting all loop regulations of a machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a loop regulating mechanism embodying a needle movement timing, or equivalent, feature, and that may be added to an existing machine with minimum change in the latter.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for preventing double advance or pawling of the loop length determining buttons of the regulating device at certain times, a feature providing for consecutive pawling or advancement at certain times, and other elements and combinations thereof, as will appear.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above-indicated character that is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, and effective in its operation.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides in the novel elements, features of construction and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view, in front elevation, of a multi-section full 'fashioned knitting machine embodying an attachment constructed in accordance with the invention, parts of the machine being broken away and omitted;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the machine, taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1, slightly enlarged relative thereto;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view, on an enlarged scale, of portions of the loop regulating attachment as viewed substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of parts of the structure of Fig. 3, as viewed in the direction of that gure;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a view, partially in section and partially in front elevation, substantially as viewed along the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an elevation taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a detail section, taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 9 is a detail section, taken along the line 9 9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a detail section, taken along the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 7

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 3, parts being in dierent position, and others omitted;

Fig. l2 is a view of the mechanism of Fig. 11, with the parts thereof in still further position;

Fig. 13 is a view of the parts of Fig. 4 in different position;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line |4-l4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 6, with the parts positioned as shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 6, with the parts positioned as shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 17 is a top view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of the structure as seen in Fig. 6;

Fig. 18 is a view of portions as viewed at the lower center of Fig. 17, in different positions;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view, taken along the line I9-I9 oi.' Fig. 6;

Fig. 20 is a detail section, taken substantially along the line 20-20 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic view of parts, somewhat' as seen in Fig. 1l, adjusted or set to produce loops of a certain length, parts being broken away and omitted;

Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic view, according to the setting of the device of Fig. 2l, illustrating the formation of loops. between alternate. pairs of needles by the sinkers;

Fig. 23 is a view, similar to Fig. 22, showing the parts in subsequent position, and illustrating the movement of the needles after the formation of loops by the sinkers;

Fig. 24 is a view of the parts of Figs. 22 and 23 in still further progression, illustrating the formation of loops by the dividers;

Fig. 25 is a view, similar to Fig. 21, of the parts thereof adjusted or set to produce loops of a greater length; and

Figs. 26, 27 and 28 are views, corresponding to Figs. 22, 23 and 24, respectively, according to the setting of the device of Fig. 25.

In the drawings and description, only those parts necessary to a complete understanding of the invention have been set forth; further information as to the construction Aand operation of other elements not herein specifically pointed out, but which are usual and well known, being available in the pamphlet entilted Full Fashioned Knitting Machines, copyright 1920, and in the Reading Full Fashioned Knitting Machine Catalogues, copyright 1929 and 1935, published by the Textile Machine Works, Reading, Penna., and in a pamphlet entitled Knitting Machine Lectures, published in 1935 by the Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, the machine is of the multi-section type comprising transverse end frames 32, and transverse center frames 33, joined by a longitudinal front beam 34, a back beam 31, and a center bed 38, which cooperate with a front bed 39 extending only between the center frames 33, to forma base or frame upon which the operating parts are supported. Between each pair of the frames 33, there is a knitting mechanism for simultaneously knitting two stocking blanks. A usual cam shaft 42 is journaled in bearings on the end and center frames.

A power unit for driving the operating parts of the machine, including thek cam shaft, is similar to the power units of previous machines, including an electric motor on the machine frame, at the rear of the machine, connected, through sprocket wheels and a chain, to a handwheelv shaft, and further sprocket wheels and a chain, to a drive shaft, and to a cam shaft from which a coulier motion mechanism derives its motion.

Loop forming mechanism comprises needles 43, two lbanks or sets of which are disposed between each pair of adjacent center frames. 'I'he needles of each bank are held, by clamps 44, to a needle bar 41, which is connected, through a bracket 48 xed thereto, to a needle lifting arm 49 fixed to a needle bar lifting shaft 52, on which is also mounted an arm 53 carrying a cam follower 54 that is rotatably mounted on a pin 51. The arm 53 is connected, by a spring 58, to a bracket 59 on the back beam 31. The follower 54 cooperates with a plan knitting cam 6| and narrowing cam 62 on the cam shaft 42.

Forward and rearward movement of the needles is effected by a fork 63, fixed to the needle bar 41, and pivotally connected to a lever 61 having a notch 68 for resting the lever on a` pin 69 projecting from one side of a presser lever 12, that is mounted on a presser shaft 13, and carries a cam follower 14 for cooperation with plain knittingcam 11 and narrowing cam 18 on the cam shaft 42. 'I'he presser lever 12 is connected, by a spring 82, to a bracket 83, on the back beam 31,

`for biasing the follower 14 toward its cam actuated positions.

By lifting the lever 61, to remove the notch 68 from the pin 69, the needles 43 may be moved throughthe previously formed loops. This synfrom operative position to an inoperative position, in which a notch 84 is pla/ced over the pin 69, and which is a position of the needles forward of the sinkers and dividers for repair work, such as replacement of needles. The lever 61 also has a shoulder 81 for cooperation with the pin 69 to hold the needle bar in an intermediate position.

A sinker head assembly S comprises a sinker head 92, sinkers 93, and dividers 94, and a verge plate or stop ,91, against which the sinkers and dividers are moved in forward direction during the formation of loops.

The sinkers 93 are moved forwardly by jacks 98, which are slurred forwardly by a slur cam 99, secured to a cock box |02, and mounted on a guide rail |03 for slidable movement transversely to the sinkers and dividers.

The dividers 94 are moved forwardly and backwardly by a catch bar |01, which receives its movement from a plain knitting cam |06 and a narrowing cam |08, through a linkage comprising a cam follower |09, a back catch bar lever I |2, and a shifting lever ||3 mounted on a shaft ||4, and a horizontal lever ||1. A spring H8,

connected between a hook extension ||9, of the back catch bar lever ||2, and a bracket |22, on the front beam 34, biases the follower |09 toward the cams |06 and |08.

The sinkers 93 are connected to, and disconnected from, the catch bar |01, by means of a front catch bar linkage, comprising a cam |23, a cam follower |24, a front catch bar lever |21, a link |28 secured to a front catch bar shaft |29, and a vertical lever |32, connected to a longitudinal link |33 by means of a spring |35. During narrowing, the follower |24 rides on a cam |34 on the cam shaft 42. The follower |24 is biased toward camming position, by a spring |25 that is connected between the catch bar lever |21 and a bracket |26 on the front beam 34.

As the yarn is laid to the needles 43, the sinkers 93 are slurred forwardly by the jacks 98 and the slur cam 99, in spaced relation to the usual yarn laying carriers, in turn carried by rods |00 slidably mounted in brackets |0| secured to the center bed 38, to sink the yarn between alternate pairs of needles. The dividers 94 are then brought forward by the catch bar |01, and its back cam linkage, in timed relation to the needies 43 to complete the formation of the loops.

Retraction, and further advancement, of the sinkers 93 with the dividers 94, during loop forming, are accomplished by the catch bar |01, which is lowered by the front catch bar cam |23, and cam linkage, to engage the backs of the sinkers.

To complete the formation of the loops in prior` art devices, after the sinkers have pressed the yarn between alternate pairs of needles 43, all of the dividers 94 are simultaneously moved forward by the back catch bar linkage to press yarn between the remaining pairs of needles. Upon engagement of the dividers 94 with the yarn the needles 43 are also moved forward thereby permitting slack to form in the yarn. After the dividers complete their forward movement,ithe front catch bar linkage, which is connected to the catch bar by means of springs, is operated to rlower the catch bar to engage the sinkers, whereupon the backward movement of the catch bar retracts all of the dividers and sinkers.

As the dividers and sinkers are retracted, the needles draw the loops downwardly over the noses of the retracting dividers and sinkers, and

v stant the dividers engage the yarn.

chronized movement of the dividers and needles is initially adjusted to be effective during the formation of loops of intermediate length. As the length of loops increases in these prior art devices, the time of operation of the needles remains the same, although the distance, through which the divider moves before engaging the yarn, decreases in proportion to the length of loops produced, thus causing the dividers to engage and move the yarn to a greater depth between the needles, before movement of the latter to their dividing position, so that the dividers exert an increased tension on the yarn and needles, and consequently increase the friction between the catch bar and the dividers to such an extent as to prevent the front catch bar linkage from lowering the catch bar into engagement with the sinkers.

In the prior art, this action results, in many instances, in jumping of the catch bar, so that, when the catch bar moves backwardly with the dividers, the sinkers are not engaged by the catch bar, and therefore remain in their for- Ward` position, consequently causing breakage of the dividers and/or needles, and/or causing other undesirable results.

To obviate the above undesirable results, it is necessary to change the time of movement of the needles, as controlled by the regulating mechanism, so that, irrespective of the length of loops being produced, the needles will always start moving forwardly substantially at the in- For this purpose, an improved regulating mechanism L is provided, as hereinafter set forth. the operation of which yis controlled by a main pattern unit M.

The main pattern unit M (Fig. l) comprises a bracket |31 on the front beam 34, a shaft |38 journaled in the bracket |31, a sprocket wheel device on the shaft |38, and a chain |42. The chain |42 is supported, along the front of the machine, on idler rollers supported on the front beam 34.

Levers |43, pivotally mounted on the bracket |31 by a pin |44, have portions |41 for cooperation with buttons |48 on the pattern chain |42, and depending arms |49. The latter cooperate with rods R, including rods |52 and |53, extending along, and supported by, the front beam 34, to move these rods longitudinally. The chain |42 is advanced by a pawl and ratchet device, operated from a cam on the cam shaft 42, and including a pawling arm |54 connected by a tension spring |51 to a` bracket |58 on the frontbeam.

A stub shaft |62 is supported in the bracket |31 for longitudinal movement transversely to the cam shaft 42, and carries, at its rear end, a follower disposed between shogging cams |63 and |64 on the cam shaft. i A member |61 is xed at the front end of the stub shaft |62, and is slidably supported parallel to the shaft on the bracket |31. A tension spring |68 is connected between the slide member |61 and the stationary bracket |31, and tends to move the stub shaft |62 such that the follower at the rear end of the shaft is moved from an inactive position between the shogging cams |63 and |64, to an active position, also between the cams, wherein it engages face cam portions of the cams to shog the cam shaft 42. The tendency of the spring |68 to move the stub shaft, as set forth, is normally prevented by a latch I 89 which is released by a button on the pattern chain |42.

Narrowing and carrier rod stroke determining mechanism N is of usual construction including a yarn carrier attachment, a narrowing attach- .ment, and a feed control device which are correlated to regulate the distance of travel of usual lyarn carriers for determining the width of fabric being knitted, and for narrowing the fabric by transferring loops. 'I'he feed control device comprises the usual narrowing spindles selectively operated by pawl and ratchet mechanism |10 that is connected by linkage |12, to a cam follower |13, which cooperates with a cam |14 on the cam shaft 42.

A displacer device D (Figs. 1 and 5), for cooperation with a loop regulating device L of the invention, is adapted to angularly displace a loop regulating shaft |82 about its axis, whereby to raise a button follower of the device L, beyond the longest button of a set of loop-length regulating buttons, for changing from one button to another, as will appear. The shaft |82 is supported in bearing brackets |83 on the front beam 34.

The device D, as better seen in Fig. 5 comprises a cam follower lever |84 that is mounted on the regulating shaft |82 for turning movement relative to this shaft. The lever |84 is held longitudinally of the shaft |82, by a lever arm |81 fixed tothe shaft at one side of the lever |84, as by set screws |88, and by a sleeve |89 fixed to the shaft |82 at the other side of the lever |84, as by a set screw |92.

The lever |84 carries a follower |83, rotatively mounted thereon, by a pin |94, for cooperation with a cam |91 on the cam shaft 42, and has a portion |98 for engagement with an adjustable contact screw |98 carried in a sleeve 202 on the arm |81. During narrowing, the follower |93 rides on a cam 200011 the cam shaft 42. A head 203 for the screw |99 constitutes means for ad- `iusting the screw, and has a notched periphery for engagement by a spring detent device 204 in another sleeve portion 201 of the arm 81. A graduated plate 205 is preferably secured to the head 203 of the screw |99, by means of a screw 208 and with the detent device 204 provides means for indicating the extent of adjustment of the screw |99. A spring 208 is connected, between a hook portion 209 of the arm |81 and a stationary part of the machine, to bias the contact screw |98 against the portionl |98 and the follower |93 against the cam |91, thereby supplementing the action of a spring which is connected between a hook portion of the lever |84 and a part of the machine frame.

At each revolution of the cam shaft 42, the cam |91 moves the lever |84 clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 5, against the screw |89, to simultaneously move the arm |81 and the shaft |82, and in turn, also permits the spring 208 to move the lever |81 counterclockwise to return the parts to positions corresponding to the position of the follower |93 at the low part of the cam |81.

In theabsence of other mechanism, the contour of the cam 11 would control the presser lever 12 to determine the position of the needles 43 relative to the sinkers 83 and the dividers 94. However, the action of the cam 11, on the presser lever 12, is modified by positioning the follower 14 relative to the cam 11 by means of a lever 2|2 (Figs. 1 and 2) fixed to the loop regulating shaft |82, and carrying a stud 2|3 constituting a stop against which the presser lever 12 is drawn by .the spring 82. The position of the stud 2|3,

which controls the position oi the needles during l the couliering operation, is controlled by the device L.

The loop regulating device L comprises a rock lever 2|1, of inverted substantially U-shape (Fig. '1), having lower ends 2|8 of split clamp character fixed to the loop regulating shaft |82, as by screws 2|9. This lever carries, near its upper end, an adjusting device C comprising. a top scale 222 Ahaving perforations 223 therein. At the axis of the scale (Fig. 14), an internally screw threaded sleeve 224, having coarse threads, is secured, as by screws 221, in a cylindrical opening of a portion 228 of the lever 2|1 constituting a hub for the scale 222. An adjustable stud 229, having -a fine exterior screw thread, is threaded into a screw 225 in the sleeve 224 and has, at its vinner end, a contact portion 232 for engagement `with a raised surface portion 233 of a lever 234, to

240, as by screw 24|.

An adjusting lever 242, of the walking beam type, is fixed in position on a sleeve extension 243 of the screw 225, as by a set screw 244, and carries, at its right end, as viewed in Fig. 7, a spring detent device 241, and at its left end, a handle structure 248.

'I'he detent device, as shown also in Fig. 10, comprises a plunger 249, in a cylindrical portion 252, and a spring 283, held in position against the plunger 249, by a screw 284. A pin 251 in a side slot 258 of the cylinder 252 prevents displacement of the plunger 248 relative to the notches 238 of the head 231. The plunger 248 with the graduated plate 240 on the stud 229 indicates the amount of adjustment of the stud 229.

The handle structure 248 (Fig. 9) comprises a sleeve 259, on an arm of the lever 242, in which a plunger rod 282 is surrounded by a spring 263 normally biasing the rod toward the perforations 223. A screw 284, and a spacer 281, normally permanently secure the handle 242 relative to the lever 2|1.

To adjust the device C, the screw 284, and the spacer 281, are removed, and the plunger rod 282 pulled to the right, as viewed in Fig. 9, against the action of the spring 283, by pulling on a handle or head 288 on the plunger rod, to remove the rod from one of the perforations 223. 'I'he lever 242 may then be turned, about the longitudinal axis of the stud 229, to turn the large threaded screw 225, in the sleeve 224, to rapidly effect large longitudinal adjustments of the stud 229. Y Fine, or precision, adjustment of the stud may then be effected by turning the head 231, after which, by pulling the plunger 282 out of the way of the perforations 223, the lever 242 may be returned to its position of Fig. 7, and again fixed in position by replacing the spacer 281 and the screw 284.

A lever 212, rotatably mounted on the loop regulating shaft |82, as by a split bearing structure including a cap 213 and screws 214 (Fig. 14), has a forked upper end including arms 211 and 218. A shaft 218 (Figs. 14, 1'7, 19, 20) is journaled in the arms 211 and 218 between, and beyond, which it extends.

A member 282 (Fig. 20), fixed to the shaft 218, as by a set screw 283, has a portion 284 on which buttons 288 of various heights are mounted. Next to the portion 284, a notched detent drum portion 289, see also Figs. 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18, cooperates with a detent plunger 292 mounted in a cylindrical portion 293, and biased against the drum 289 by a spring 294. A pin 291 (Figs. 14, 15, 16), extending through the plunger 292 into side slots in the cylinder 293, prevents the plunger from turning about its longitudinal axis, and holds a straight outer end edge 298 of the plunger parallel to straight notches 299 in the drum 289.

A ratchet wheel 302, fixed to the shaft 219, as by a set screw 303 (Figs. 19, 20) cooperates with a pawl 304 mounted, by a pin 301, on a pawling arm 308 that is rotatably journaled on the shaft 219. A projection 309, projecting upwardly from, and laterally to, the arm 211 of the lever 212, carries a contact screw 3|0 for periodic engage.- ment with the top of the pawl 304. A spring 3|2, connected between a pin 3| 4, on the pawl 304, and a hook portion 3 1 on the pawling arm 308, biases the pawl toward the ratchet. A collar 3I8, secured to the shaft 219, as by a set screw 3 9, holds the pawling arm 308 in position. A spring 3|6, connected between a hook portion 320 of the pawling arm 308 and a pin 32| on the arm 211 of the lever 212, biases the pawling arm clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 11.

A lever arm 322, constituting a fixed part of the caps for the lower ends 2|8 of lever 2|1, is pivotally connected, by a pin 323, to a lever 324 having a bifurcate upper end, between the legs 321 of which, a follower 328 is rotatably mounted by a pin 329 for cooperation with a regulating cam 332 on the cam shaft 42. During narrowing, the follower 328 rides on a cam 333 (Fig. 6).

Shoes 331, pivotally mounted by a pin 338 on the lever 324, have steel bearing surface elements 339 for sliding engag'ement with bearing portions 342 on the lever 212. A spring 343, connected between a pin 344 on the lever 212 and a stationary part of the machine frame, biases the bearing portions 342 counterclockwise against the shoes 331, as viewed in Fig. 14. The above-mentioned sliding action, of the bearing portions 342 on the shoes 331, occurs when the lever 212 and its xed arm 322 turn clockwise, and the follower 328 rides upwardly and peripherally of the cam, in contradistinction to its follower movement, substantially radially of the cam, on a. wide arc about the axis of the pin 323.

The pawling arm 308 has a side projection 341 supporting a contact screw 348 for engagement with another contact screw 349-in a similar side projection 352 on a lever 353 that is pivotally mounted, by a pin 354, on an arm 351 of the lever 212, and carries a follower 358, rotatably journaled by a pin 359, for engagement with a cam 362 on the cam shaft 42. During narrowing, the follower 358 rides on a cam 36| having the same shape, and the same angular position on the cam shaft 42, as the cam 362. A spring 363, connected between a hook projection 364, on the lever 353, and a pin 381 on the lever 324, biases the follower 358 toward the cam 362, and the contact screw 349 away from the contact screw 348.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16, a pair of levers 368 and 369 are pivotally mounted, by a single pin 312, on the front side of the lever 212, the lever 368 having a top end shoulder portion 313 for latching cooperation with a lug 314 on the pawling arm 308. The lever 368 (Figs. 12 and 15) is biased counterclockwise about its pivot pin 312, as viewed in Fig. 15, by a spring 316 (Fig. 12) connected between the lower end of the lever and a pin 311 (Fig. 15) on the cap 213 of the lever 212. The lever 369 is biased counterclockwise about the pivot pin 312, as viewed in Fig. 15, by a spring 318, connected between a hook portion 319 on the lever and the above-mentioned pi 311. At a position below the pivot pin 312, the lever 369 carries an adjustable contact screw 382 for engagement with a lug 383 on the lever 368.

On the upper part of the lever 368, a plate 381, having a side projection 388 for engagement with a side projection 389 on the lever 369, is mounted, as better seen in Fig. 8, by screws 392. The plate 381 has slots 393 and 394, by which the plate may slide vertically on the lever 368, and a spring 391, in a recess 398 in the plate, biases the plate upwardly, so that the side projection 388 normally lies to the right of and in vertical overlapping relation to, or in the path of movement of, the side projection 389.

A plate 402, of substantially L-shape, is adjustably secured to the lever 353, by a screw 403, extending through a slot in the plate, and is adapted, at certain times, to engage the projection 388 on the plate 381 to move it, from its position of Fig. 4, in which the projections 388 and 389 are in overlapping relation to each other when viewed axially of shaft |82, to the position of Fig. 13, in which the projections 388 and 389 are out of register with each other when viewed axially of shaft |82.

By the above-described arrangement, when the lever 369 is moved clockwise, from its position as viewed in Fig. 6, its side projection 389 first en' gages the projection 388, to release the shoulder 313 for the lug 314', whereupon, with the plate 402 descending on the plate 381, the latter is depressed, and the parts positioned, as in Fig. 15, so that the lever 368 is freed from the influence of the lever 369, and instantly brought back, under the influence of its spring 312, into position for subsequent latching of the lug 314 by the shoulder 313 as shown in Fig. 16, without waiting for the return movement of the lever 369 which, being controlled from the pattern unit M, is slower in action. However, the relative motion of levers 368 and 369 is never sufcient to move projection 389 to the right of projection 388 when viewed as in Figs. 15 and 16 and the projection 388 remains below projection 389 as shown in Fig. 13 until lever 369 has returned to its initial position. By providing a still higher button, such as the button 404 on the chain |42, the lever 369 may be moved clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 15, a sufficiently greater distance, such that the plate 402 cannot engage the plate 381. This action provides fon effecting consecutive pawlings of the ratchet wheel 302, and consecutive shiftings of the buttons 288, throughout a number of consecutive movements of lever 353.

Control of the lever 389, by the pattern unit M, is eected, through engagement of a collar 401 on the rod |52 with a contact end 408 of the lever, the rod being normally biased to the right, -as viewed in Fig. 6, and pushed to the left by one of the levers |43, when a certain button |48 of the' pattern chain |42 engages the portion |41.

A lever 4|2, pivotally mounted on the lever 234, by a pin 4|3, in front of the lever 234, has an upper end portion 4|4, behind the lever 234, on which are disposed laterally spaced buttons 4|1 and 4|8 for alternate positioning in line with the buttons 288, the portion 4|4 having a side lug 4|9 in which is disposed an adjustable contact screw 422 for engagement with a lug 423 on the lever 234.

The lever 4|2 is biased counterclockwise, as viewed in Flg. 6, by a tension spring 424 that is connected between a hook portion 421 of the ,lever 4|2 and a pin 428 on one of the lower ends 2|8 of the lever 2|1, whereby the screw 422 tends to engage the lug 423. The lever 4|2 has a depending arm 429, a lower end portion 432 of which is engaged by an element 433 on the rod |53. A compression spring 434 surrounds the rod |53 between the. element 433 and a collar 431 fixed to the rd. The rod |53, similarly to the rod |52, is operated from the main pattern unit M, when another of the buttons |48 of the pattern chain |42 engages the portion |41 of the corresponding lever |43. The end 408 of the lever 389, and the element 432 of the lever 4|2, are arranged such, as better indicated in Fig. 3, that movements of these levers, about theaxis of the shaft |82, does not interfere with the operation of the levers by the rods |52 and |53. e

In operation, assuming any of the buttons 288 alined with the button 4|8 on the lever 4|2, the particular button 288 thus positioned at any particular time, or place in the pattern of the fabric being knitted, will determine the length of each loop in each course, so long as the selected button 288 remains opposite the button 4|8.

Where several courses of equal length loops are so. knitted, the pawl 304 merely idles relative to the ratchet wheel 302, because, with the shoulder 313 under the lug 314, when the high point of the cam 382, at each revolution of the cam shaft 42, causes the lever 353 to pivot counterclockwlse about its pivot pin 354, as viewed in Fig. 12, the contact screw 349 cannot move the screw 348 far enough to cause pawling of the ratchet Wheel 302 by the pawl 304.

When a low button |48 on the main pattern chain |42 actuates the rod |52 to the left, as

viewed in Fig. 15, the lever 389 is moved clockwise, which movement causes the side projection 389 to engage the side projection 388 on the plate 381. This action moves the shoulder 313 away from the lug 314, whereupon the pawling lever 308, under the action of the spring 3|8, turns clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 19, to a position in which, the screw 348 is in engagement with the screw 348, whereupon the next counterclockwise movement of the lever 353, as viewed in Fig. 11, will advance the ratchet wheel 302 one notch, to advance the series of buttons 288 by a distance of one button, to set the device to make the next course, or courses, of loops of lesser or greater length than the loops rst made.

Prior to the pawl advancing movement, the lever 353 is given a slight clockwise movement by the cam 382, thereby carrying the plate 402 downwardly, thus moving the plate 381 downwardly against the action -of the spring 391, whereupon the side projection 388 moves, from its position of Fig. 4 to its position of Fig. 13, to release the side projection 389, and permit the lever 368 to be moved by its spring 318 back to position where it is ready to snap the shoulder 313 back into position under the lug 314, to again hold the pawling arm 308 out of pawling position, as above set forth, and to thus permit only a one button advance of the buttons 288.

After the series of buttons 288 have been advanced by a distance of one button and the shoulder313 of the lever368has been moved into latching engagement with the lug 314 of the pawl lever 308, as sho-wn in Fig. 16, the pattern chain- 42 is actuated to remove the button |48 from beneath the lever |43, associated with the rod |52, this action permitting the lever 338 to be biased in a counterclockwlse direction by the spring 318 to a.

the selected button 288 to the button 4|8. From the latter, the motion is continued through the stud 228, which turns the regulating shaft |82 clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 14. This action is transmitted to the lever 2| 2 (Fis. 2) whereby the stud 2| 3 is positioned to affect the presser lever 12, in a usual manner, to determine the lengths of the loops.

When it is desired to insert a loose course, while the ratchet wheel 302 is idling, and a previously selected button 288 is still opposite the button 4|8, the rod |53 is actuated to the left, as viewed in Fig. 6, by the pattern unit M, as aforesaid, whereupon, the lever 4|2, when the follower |93 (Fig. 5) is at the high part of the cam |91, is moved clockwise, to place the loose course button 4|1, which is longer than the button 4|8, in line with the button 288. This action causes motion to be transmitted, as aforesaid, from the loop regulating cam 232, to the follower 328, the lever 324, through the shoes 331, to the lever 212, and from the latter, through the selected button 288 t0 the button 4H. From the latter, the motion is continued through the stud 229, which turns the regulating shaft |82. action is transmitted to the lever 2|2, whereby the stud 2|3 is positioned to affect the presser lever 12 to effect a loose course.

Since the button 4|1 is a determined length longer than the button 4|8, no matter what the length of the button 288 which is opposite the button 4|8 at any time, when the lever 4|2 is shifted, as above set forth, the resultant course will be loose by comparison with the loop made by cooperation of the button 288 and the button 4 If it is desired, at any time, to produce a loose course of greater length than will be obtained by merely shifting the lever 4|2, and not advancing the buttons 288, one of the buttons 288, next succeeding the one determining the loop length just prior to making such greater loose course, may be longer, and advanced for engagement with the button 4| 8, after which loose course, another button 288, the same length as the button preceding the loose colnse button, is advanced. Thus, to provide such greater loose course within an otherwise uniform loop area, will require three buttons 288, or the third button may be of different length from the first, to start a new area.

Dependent upon the number and positions of the buttons |48 on the pattern chain |42, for actuating the rods |52 and |53, the device L may be arranged to operate in any one of a wide variety of ways, that is, as to the number of times the buttons 288 are advanced, and the number of courses during which any one of the buttons 288 remains opposite the normal loop regulating button 4|8. These steps may be arranged in any of a relatively large number of combinations, but in the application shown, that of producing full fashioned stocking blanks will, in general, be arranged for a certain blank and allowed to remain so arranged. Differences between blanks of the same general kind. but of different sizes, will be of degree rather than kind.

In its function of moving the needles 43, in timed relation to the movement of the dividers 94 according to the loop length selected, after the formation of sinker loops, the operation will be better understood from a consideration of Figs. 21-28.

Figs. 21-24 illustrate the operation during the production of loops of intermediate length, Fig. 22 of which indicates the relation of parts just after the sinkers 93 have been slurred forwardly. If, while the parts are positioned as in Fig. 22, the dividers 94 were to be moved outwardly to positions between alternate pairs of needles, it is seen that there would not be enough yarn to permit such movement without the danger of breaking the yarn, or of bending or breaking the needles. Consequently, it has been usual, during the outward movement of the dividers, to move the needles 43 to some such position, as shown in Fig. 23.

Coincident with the movement of the needles from the position indicated in Fig. 22 to the position of Fig. 24 and through the intermediate position of Fig. 23, the dividers 94 continuously engage the yarn so as to keep the latter taut, and form the divider loops shown without straining any of the parts.

Herein, by reason of the relation. of the arm 324 to the lever 212, that is, by being pivoted to the arm 322 of the lever 212 by the pin 323, when a button 288 of any given length is selected, the follower 328 will be moved upwardly, or downwardly, as viewed in Figs. 21 and 25, as well as peripherally of the cam 332, so that, when a short loop is to be produced, the distance between lines a and b, indicating the horizontal planes in which the centers of the cam 332 and the cam follower 328 respectively are positioned as shown in Fig. 21, is comparatively small. However, with the regulating mechanism adjusted to produce loops of a greater length, the cam follower 328 is moved upwardly, as shown in Fig. 25, so as to be activated by the dividing portion of the regulating cam 332 at a correspondingly earlier time, the difference in timing being represented by the difference in distance existing between the lines a and b in Fig. 25, as compared with the difference in distance existing between the lines a and b in Fig. 21. By this action, the timing of the dividing action of the needles 43 varies in direct relation to the length of loops being produced, and consequently, the dividing action of the dividers and needles is so synchronized to effect proper dividing action by the dividers 94, irrespective of the length of loop produced, thereby eliminating excessive bending of the needles, tearing of the yarn, and failure of the catch bar to engage and retract the sinkers, which undesirable effects are, however, frequently encountered in connection with the operation of prior art devices.

According to this invention, by the peripheral movement of the follower 328 relative to the cam 332 (Figs. 21 and 25), when the longer loops of Figs. 26-28 are being made, the needles 43 will be moved to the position of Fig. 27, which corresponds to the position of Fig. 23 quicker from the original position of Fig. 26, corresponding to the position of Fig. 23, to compensate for the increased length of loops selected.

Therefore, no matter what length of loop is selected, the action will be as effective herein as.

it was in the prior art with only one length of loop with respect to which the needle movement was properly timed, and the other advantages herein pointed out are obtained.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described by which I obtain the above results, can be changed and modied in various ways without departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a knitting machine of the straight united needle type, a loop regulating means having a contoured cam, a single follower for the cam having cam follower movement in a direction substantially normal to the contoured surface of the cam, means responsive to operation of the follower by the cam for determining the average length of loop of a course to be knitted, means for selectively adjusting said means to change the loop length, and means for imparting movement to the follower along the contoured surface of the cam in accordance with the loop length selected.

2. In a knitting machine of the straight united needle type, a loop regulating means having a disc cam, a single follower for the cam having cam follower movement substantially radially of the cam, means responsive to operation of the follower by the cam for determining the average length of loop of a course to be knitted, means for selectively adjusting said means to change the loop length, and means for imparting movement of the follower peripherally of the cam in accordance with the loop length selected.

3. In a knitting machine of the straight united needle type, loop regulating mechanism, comprising means for carriage by a regulating shaft displaceable by cam and follower means and including buttons for determining loop lengths, means coacting with the buttons and aiecting the loop `forming mechanism, pawl and ratchet means for advancing the buttons, a second cam and follower means for actuating the pawl means, and means for preventing consecutive advances of the ratchet means in response to consecutive advances of the pawl means.

4. In a knitting machine of the straight united needle type, loop regulating mechanism, comprising means including buttons for determining loop lengths, means coacting with the buttons and affecting the loop forming mechanism, pawl and ratchet means for advancing the buttons, means for latching and releasing the pawling means relative to the ratchet means including two levers, and means including pattern elements for selectively operating said latching lever parts together in one direction and permitting movement of the one relative to the other in the reverse direction.

5. In a knitting machine of the straight united needle type, a loop regulating means having a shaft, an arm rigid with said shaft, a cam, and an arrangement including a single follower for transmitting a thrust from said cam to turn said arm, means for varying the average length of loop of a course, and means responsive to said means for varying the time in the knitting cycle at which said arm begins to turn under the thrust from the cam.

6. In a straight knitting machine of the united needle type, a regulating means having a shaft mounted for limited angular movement, an arm rigid with said shaft, a revoluble cam, a single follower for said cam mounted on an arm pivoted on a member rigid with said shaft and projecting thrust from the cam.

'7. In a knitting machine of the straight yunited needle type, a loop regulating means having a shaft mounted for limited angular movement, an

arm rigid with said shaft, a revoluble cam. a

single follower for said cam mounted on an arm rigid with said shaft and projecting from the axis of said shaft toward the axis of revolution of said cam, an arm swivelled on said shaft and having auxiliary pattern elements thereon arranged to assist in transmitting a turning impulse from said cam to said rigid arm, a second revoluble cam, a follower for said second cam supported from said swivelled arm, and means for shifting said auxiliary pattern elements by an impulse from the follower of said second cam.

8. In a knitting machine of the straight united needle type having a presser edge, a loop regulating mechanism having a regulating shaft, an arm rigid with said shaft, a cam and follower acting through said arm for initiating a turning impulse for said shaft. means whereby the average length of loop of a course may beadjusted, and means providing an automatic circumferential adjustment of the follower relative to said cam in accordance with the length of stitch chosen to vary the time in the knitting cycle at which the follower permits the needles to move away from the presser edge.

9. In a knitting machinev of the straight united needle type having a presser edge, a loop regulating mechanism having a regulating shaft, an

arm rigid with said shaft, a cam and follower acting through said arm for initiating a turning impulse for said shaft, automatic means including auxiliary pattern elements for adjusting the average length of loop of a course, means including main pattern elements for timing the actionof said automatic means, and means providing an automatic adjustment of said follower circumferentially of said cam in accordance with the average length of loop.

10. In a straight knitting machine of the united needle type, a regulating means as set forth in claim 6 and in which the arrangement for transmitting a thrust from the follower to the rigid arm includes a sliding contact between a member mounted on the follower carrying arm and a part on the swiveled member.

HERBERT ERICH HAEHNEL. 

